“Desolate Town” is the highly anticipated debut album from new artist Anthony Babino. The CD features 14 brand new original songs, which are an eclectic mix of pop/rock, alternative, acoustic & jazz. Stylistically, the songs range from the infectious rock-infused “Tune Me In, Tune You Out” & “Racquel”, to the impossibly catchy acoustic-driven “How She Does It” & “Roll Your Love”, to more introspective and dark songs such as the folk-tinged “Spirit”, & “The Coward”, a bitingly truthful, haunting social commentary on the state of societal chaos in our modern world.
The record begins with the sound of Anthony strumming a martin acoustic guitar, followed by the unmistakable entry of the peerless Adam Snyder (Movin’ Out) on drums, kicking off the superb “Tune Me In, Tune You Out”. In addition to its incredibly catchy melodic line, the track features both a fine vocal performance and lyrics which many can relate to.
“Racquel” is a ‘funkified’, soulful song, featuring a “slammin’ jam-out” at the end, complete with funky guitar, bass and keyboard riffs, the rhythmic styling’s of percussionist Chris Theberge, and a wicked sax solo by Jeff Lederer.
“How She Does It”, originally recorded on the John Lennon Songwriting Bus (2005) in New York City with legendary jazz guitarist Pat Metheney supplying lead guitar (track not included herein), was re-recorded for the album, and features the unique and unrivaled prowess of guitarist Mick Gaffney, who specially constructed a 6-part lead for the song. Upon listening to the original completed track recorded on the Lennon Bus, engineer Steve Miller said:
“…I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this track turns up on the radio sometime soon.”
- Sibelius.com
At the very heart of the record lies “Carnival”, a trippy track with lyrics steeped in surreal imagery accompanied by a riveting vocal and instrumental performance, with a yet again, killer, screaming saxophone solo by the incredible Jeff Lederer.
“My Mind Is Playing Tricks On Me”, another noteworthy track, is one of four co-written songs by Anthony and Tony (Tune Me In, Tune You Out; Roll Your Love; Desolate Town), with lyrics by Tony and music by Anthony. The lyrics were inspired by witnessing the effect of Alzheimer’s disease on a family friend. The track includes a hauntingly beautiful piano track played by Chris Clark (Wicked, Mamma Mia!).
“Desolate Town” is co-produced by acclaimed performing artist and songwriter Tony B, producer/guitarist Mick Gaffney (Marc Anthony, Paul Simon, Stuff), and Anthony. Recording commenced in June 2008 at Fenix Studio’s in Staten Island, New York, and continued over an eight month period. All tracks were engineered and mixed by Matt Rifino, who has previously worked with such artists as Chicago, America, Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, Fall Out Boy, Tony Bennett, & Fiona Apple. Subsequently, the album was superbly mastered by Fred Kevorkian at Avatar Studios in New York City.
This album is destined to be a classic…get your copy today!
Desolate Town (2009) by Anthony Babino
Produced by: Tony Babino, Anthony Babino, & Mick Gaffney
Recorded, Mixed, & Engineered by: Matt Rifino at Fenix Studio’s, S.I., NY
Assistant Engineers: Matt Powell & Ricci Castro
Drum Technician: Dave DeSantis
Mastered by: Fred Kevorkian at Avatar Studio’s, NY, NY
Artwork by: Robert Geronimo
Package design by: Tony Babino
The Players:
Anthony Babino - Lead & backing vocals, lead and rhythm guitars, bass, percussion.
Steven Babino - backing vocals, bass on "Melancholy Feeling".
Tony Babino - backing vocals, bass on "Desolate Town".
Adam Snyder - Drums
Chris Clark - Piano, Hammond B3 Organ, and Synth Strings
Mick Gaffney - lead guitar on "How She Does It", 12-string acoustic on "Roll Your Love".
Jeff Lederer - Alto & Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet
Chris Theberge - Conga, Bongo's, & Clave on "Racquel", "How She Does It" & "Melancholy Feeling".
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